(February 16, 1982)

On the day the Knesset voted its resolution condemning U.S. arms sales to Jordan President
Reagan, in a letter to Prime Minister Begin,
pledged to maintain Israel's "qualitative technological edge."
Calling Israel America's 'friend and ally," he added that "there
has been no change regarding our military supply relationship with Jordan."
In his reply, Mr. Begin explained in detail the nature of the Iraqi
and Jordanian hostility to Israel and ennumerated their military strength.

His Excellency
Menachem Begin
Prime Minister of the
State of Israel
Jerusalem

Dear Menachem:

Recent press reports have presented incorrect and
exaggerated commentary regarding U.S. military assistance policies for
the Middle East.

I want you to know that America's policy toward Israel
has not changed. Our commitments will be kept. I am determined to see
that Israel's qualitative technological edge is maintained and am mindful
as well of your concerns with respect to quantitative factors and their
impact upon Israel's security.

The policy of this government remains as stated publicly
by me. Secretary Haig's and Secretary Weinberger's statements on the
public record are also clear. There has been no change regarding our
military supply relationship with Jordan, and Secretary Weinberger brought
me no new requests. Any decision on future sales to Jordan or any other
country in the region will be made in the context of my Administration's
firm commitment to Israel's security and the need to bring peace to
the region.

Israel remains America's friend and ally. However,
I believe it is in the interests of both our countries for the United
States to enhance its influence with other states in the region. I recognize
the unique bond between the United States and Israel and the serious
responsibilities which this bond imposes on us both.

Sincerely
(signed)
Ron

Jerusalem, February 16, 1982

President Ronald Reagan
The White House
Washington, D.C.

Dear Mr. President,

The Knesset yesterday adopted the following resolution:

"The Knesset:

1. Expresses its profound concern at the U.S. Defense
Secretary's offer to supply F-16 aircraft and improved ground-to-air
Hawk missiles, from which the ban on their mobility will be lifted.

2. Declares that the supply of such sophisticated
weaponry to the forward state on the Eastern front of the states refusing
even to negotiate peace with Israel, and maintaining a state of war
with her, constitutes a grave threat to Israel's security.

3. Calls on the U.S. government to refrain - in keeping
with the President's declarations and the resolution of Congress - from
thus gravely imperilling Israel's security. "

Eighty-eight members voted in favor, three Communist
members cast their vote against and seven members abstained. I am able
to state that in absolute figures, the eighty-eight years actually represent
ninety-nine. This is a rare case in our free, democratic and rather
vociferous Parliament of non-partisan consensus and in fact, a vote
of national unity. It demonstrates, as stated in the Knesset resolution,
the deep concern of our people and its elected representatives.

Permit me to say, Mr. President, that I do not understand
why it was necessary for the Secretary of Defense to make his worrying
statements, and indeed his anti-Israel declarations or, at least, innuendos,
whilst he was visiting Arab countries all of which, but for one, are
in a state of war with us and are even preparing for war against us.
But, of course, if Secretary Weinberger sees fit to make such statements,
so negative from our point of view, in such places - it is not for me
to ask him to refrain from doing so, at least in the future.

What is decisive for us is the actual subject matter.
Allow me to elaborate.

Jordan and Iraq are now joined, in fact, by a common
command. Jordan is supporting Iraq in the war against Iran, even going
so far as to resort to the well-known technique of mobilizing "volunteers"
for the battle-front on the side of the Iraqi forces. Those "volunteers"
are, in truth, trained soldiers. We witness the old Russian practice
first adopted during the Spanish Civil War.

The hostility of Iraq towards Israel is unlimited.
When Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria signed Armistice Agreements with
us in 1949, Iraq stood alone in refusing to do so, even though its forces
fought on many fronts against the State of Israel. now for the benefit
of Iraq, Jordan has established an Akaba-Baghad land bridge and is actually
sending its troops to the Iraqi-Iranian front. And who has the decisive
influence in Baghdad? As we know, it is Russia, not the West.

Moreover, we dare not ignore Saudi Arabia, which a
week ago declared, on its own initiative, that it is a confrontation
state against Israel.

Syria, for its part, is in conflict with Jordan. Damascus
supports the Khoumeini regime. Long experience has taught us, however,
that whenever war is thrust upon us, all our enemies join forces in
carrying out their aggression. Thus during the Yom Kippur War, Saudi
forces, as well as those of Jordan and Morocco, fought against Israel
on the Golan Heights, aided by Cubans and North Koreans.

In speaking, therefore, of our northern and eastern
fronts, we are obliged to take account of at least four potential enemies
who may attack us - Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Syria. It is for
this reason, Mr. President, that I wish to share with you the following
basic facts and figures:

Jordan will have in the near future one thousand and
seventy-two tanks, one hundred and seventy first-line aircraft and six
hundred and seventy-seven heavy guns.

Iraq - four thousand tanks, four hundred and ninety-six
first-line aircraft and two thousand, six hundred and sixty heavy guns.

Syria - Four thousand tanks, six hundred and ten first-line
aircraft and two thousand heavy guns.

In aggregate, those four countries, all of them hostile
towards Israel, refusing to make peace with Israel, and maintaining
a state of war against our country will, in the near future, possess
the following inventory.

Tanks - nine thousand, five hundred and fifty-two.
First line aircraft - one thousand, four hundred and forty-six. Heavy
guns - six thousand and fifty-four.

Mr. President, should Jordan receive from the United
States a quantity of F-16 aircraft and an additional supply of Hawks
which will be mobile (contrary to the recommendation of Congress) we,
Israel, will be in direct, real and severe danger. We do not speak of
this grave potential problem out of fear. If attacked, we shall defend
ourselves under all circumstances by counterattack and, with God's help,
we shall again win the day. Our concern, Mr. President, is not victory.
It is casualties. And I do not have to explain what, in this generation
of the Holocaust, casualties mean to us. I am, therefore, bound to ask,
can there be justice or justification in enabling our enemies to shed
our blood en-masse.

Forgive me, Mr. President, my candor, but it was out
of this concern that we in Parliament yesterday joined hands, supporters
of the administration of the day and its opponents alike, because all
of us are deeply perturbed. If those sophisticated weapons are to be
supplied to Jordan, just as similar ones have already been committed
to Saudi Arabia, what will become of the qualitative and quantitative
edge you were so kind to promise me to maintain so that Israel might
deter aggression and prevent war which is what all of us so deeply wish.

I can only repeat, dear friend, the appeal I made
to you yesterday from Knesset:

Let it not happen. I speak, perhaps, of one of the
gravest issues we have faced ever since the renewal of our statehood.

I have no option but to share with you on behalf of
the people of Israel - as demonstratively attested to in our parliament
yesterday - our deep concern. I rely on your understanding and friendship,
Mr. President, that the danger of which I write will not come into being.